Book-a-book of the Month Club discussion

Discuss the characters here

Discussion question: what are your thoughts on the relationship between George and Blaze (or perceived relationship)? I can feel the love between George and Blaze. That's clear. But, I can't decide quite yet what's really happening. Did George really love Blaze and deeply care about him but could only show it in the mean-spirited way he does because of his jaded life? Or was it like most abusive relationships where the dominator must keep the other insecure so that they don't 'wise-up' and leave? Because, let's face it, George needed Blaze as much as Blaze needed George. Is the love we clearly feel just a figment of Blaze's imagination because he really wanted to believe George loved him in the same way he loved George? I really want to believe that George loved him and didn't have a better way of showing it. I'm looking forward to seeing how this unfolds. Thoughts?

Randi wrote: "Discussion question: what are your thoughts on the relationship between George and Blaze (or perceived relationship)?"

Definitely Of Mice and Men - as previously mentioned. I have yet to get to where he meets George and how they interact when he is not just a figment of his imagination. But, I believe it is a tough love situation - being tough on Blaze is the only way that George knows how to show he cares. I get the feeling that the relationship they mentioned at HH (John/Blaze) is similar (even though John is nicer).

Randi wrote: "Discussion question: what are your thoughts on the relationship between George and Blaze (or perceived relationship)? I can feel the love between George and Blaze. That's clear. But, I can't decide..."

Well from what I've read so far I kind of feel like it's the dominator type relationship. George talks about how he reminds Blaze what to do to take care of him.......that's what abusive relationships are right?.......control in the disguise of love? That's what confuses the person they're abusing so that they even feel guilt when defying them.

I agree, but, sometimes it is more than that. I will be interested to see what they say about that relationship before George dies.

I left a comment here earlier today, or so I thought. Guess it didn't post. Now........what did I write? Lol!

Well after reading how George and Blaze met, I didn't see much of a difference when comparing his treatment of him while alive and then in ghostly form. I thought maybe they may have been closer in some way but I didn't get that feeling, unless I missed something. As much as he was bossy with Blaze, he also took care of him.......in a condescending way. So I'm still not sure, did he love Blaze or not?

I thought I had written a long comment regarding their relationship as well, but...I guess I didn't save or something.

Anyway, I believe George loved Blaze in the only way he knew how. He did care for George, and while he did make use of him as well, it was almost necessary since he was George's only help. I felt this relationship was almost the same as Lenny and George in OMaM.

Has anyone read the Dark Tower series? If so, I don't think this relationship could be farther from Eddie Dean's and his brother's. THAT was a relationship like Randi mentioned.

I did think it was a case of loving each other in the only way they know how. Each of them had their strengths and faults and together they completed each other. It is true we didn't get to see too much of their living relationship, but it felt like enough to get a good idea of who they were together.

I was amused at the fact that it was almost "love at first sight" for Blaze.

Also, I think he almost got to the same point with John earlier in the story, and that is what drew him to George quickly and it became a somewhat similar sidekick relationship.